"I think that New Mexico was the greatest experience from the outside world that I ever had.
It certainly changed me forever ... The moment I saw the brilliant proud morning (sun) shine high up over the deserts of Santa Fe,
something stood still in my soul."
~D.H. Lawrence

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

There is a place along a chain link fence at the Santuario de Chimayó where pilgrims leave crosses they have fashioned from twigs and other simple materials.

The first time we went to Chimayó years ago and I saw the fence full of handmade crosses -- and realized the simple faith expressed in them, I was overwhelmed and I stood there for the longest time, in awe.

Since that time years ago, the fence has been moved to another location, along the paved walkway from the parking lot up to the church. I still take time to stop and look at the crosses ... but I am amazed at the numbers of people who walk right past them without looking. Seems like we do that a lot in our lives.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Things in the heart of town start to slow down a little after tourist season ends following the Santa Fe Fiesta in early September.

We were down on the Plaza a week ago, and there was still a festive, party atmosphere and lots of people, but fall is in the air, and it seemed like there were fewer tourists in the stores and restaurants.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Today was our green chile day here at our house. For many New Mexicans, freezing green chile in late summer every year is a state tradition. This is the third year of our residency here, and our third year to prepare roasted green chile to put in our freezer for the coming year.

We went into town this morning to get our green chiles roasted in the neat roasters designed especially for chile. You see them all over town, and the aroma is soooooo wonderful.

This year I remembered to get some pictures of each step of the chile process.

Worst part? Preparing the chiles is a lot of work and we are really tired when we're done.Best part? A freezer full of the chiles to enjoy for the coming year. yummmm....

Our chiles in the roaster at Jackalope on Cerrillos Rd. in Santa Fe...